[BarryRX]

My wife and I went to Lakeridge Winery for their tour and wine tasting. I wonder if anyone else has had their wine which is made from the muscadine grape. I found them to be so sweet as to be almost undrinkable. But I understand they do a good business, so many others must like it. The grounds are lovely and the tour was ok.

[rayschic]

Originally Posted by BarryRX

My wife and I went to Lakeridge Winery for their tour and wine tasting. I wonder if anyone else has had their wine which is made from the muscadine grape. I found them to be so sweet as to be almost undrinkable. But I understand they do a good business, so many others must like it. The grounds are lovely and the tour was ok.

Yes, the muscadine grape is very sweet and makes a sweet wine. I, personally, don't like sweet wine, so Lakeridge is not for me. Most Florida wineries only sell sweet wines because that's all they can grow in Florida....sweet grapes.
The property is very nice, though, and they have several events held there throughout the year. Nice place to hang out for the afternoon listening to music, but I'll skip the wine.

Welcome to Lakeridge Winery

[NotGolfer]

We've not been to this winery BUT they also have a "branch" in St. Augustine which we have visited. They had several types/kinds of wines to choose from. Does Lakeridge have a tasting area...I'd suspect they do?! I'd think that they'd be offering what their other store offers. They had some drier wines as I recall.

[John_W]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

We've not been to this winery BUT they also have a "branch" in St. Augustine which we have visited. They had several types/kinds of wines to choose from. Does Lakeridge have a tasting area...I'd suspect they do?! I'd think that they'd be offering what their other store offers. They had some drier wines as I recall.

When you finish the short tour of the Clermont winery, everyone convenes in the showroom at a large horseshoe shaped bar. We had about 15 people in our group and there was plenty of room. The woman who gave our group the factory tour stands behind the bar and continues with the wine tasting. On the bar there is a brochure, pen and wine glass and while talking she comes around the bar pouring wine in everyone's glass. You can make notes on the brochure about the dozen or so wines you'll taste and she'll speak about their concerts, the retail store, the prices and the various discounts and so on. It's very entertaining and reminded me of the movie 'Sideways' for a moment, but we had no Miles or Jack in our group.

[buzzy]

Tried it from the supermarket. Too sweet for me. Will skip the tour.

[BarryRX]

in order to be fair, I feel I must add to my original post that after the 5th sample of wine, things did start tasting a bit better and in general the world seemed like a nicer place and the other people at the tasting bar seemed to get better looking!

[REDCART]

We visited Lakeridge Winery a few years ago, and while it was an afternoon out and an introduction to wine making in FL, it was a one-time experience for us. The thimble-sized wine tasting, and the wine itself was not memorable. It was amusing to listen to people rave about the wine. You have to wonder about people's taste sometimes. But Lakeridge is not far and it's something to do for an afternoon.

George

[philnpat]

Lakeridge makes a premium red dry wine. It's Reserve Cuvee Noir. I recommend it. I've never seen it sold in stores. Have only seen it at the winery.

[logdog]

It's not for everyone but don't just go by what they sell in the stores. They have several varieties that are hard to find elsewhere and they are all available for tasting (some only at special events). Also, they offer coupons in some local magazines that offer one free case for every one or two purchased. It's not a far drive and it's an easy stop on the way back from Orlando.

[jpharmat]

We took a tour of the winery last October and loved it!!! I am a fan of sweet wine and have fallen in love with their Southern White and Southern Red... yum